Rhode Island to become 10th state to recognize gay marriage

By Ryan Teague Beckwith, Digital First Media

Posted:
05/02/2013 07:08:36 AM PDT

Updated:
05/02/2013 07:12:13 AM PDT

FILE - In this Jan. 15, 2013 file photo, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee testifies in support of same-sex marriage before the House Judiciary Committee, at the Statehouse, in Providence, R.I. Following months of review and debate, the Rhode Island state Senate is set to vote on gay marriage legislation Wednesday afternoon, April 24, 2013. The bill easily passed the House in January. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) (Steven Senne)

Rhode Island to become 10th state to allow gay marriage

Rhode Island will become the 10th state to recognize gay marriage today.Gov. Lincoln Chafee plans to sign a bill legalizing same-sex marriage after a final procedural vote in the state's General Assembly.The new law will take effect on Aug. 1.The change means all six New England states now allow gay marriage - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island - plus New York, Iowa, Maryland, Washington state and the District of Columbia.All told, 50.6 million Americans live in ...